Who must complete a Quality Assurance Assessment?
Quality Assurance (QA) Assessment promotes nurses’ continuing competence and helps them improve the quality of their practice.
Each year, CNO randomly selects nurses from the General and Extended classes to participate in a QA Assessment. If you are selected, you will be notified by email with instructions on how to complete the assessment requirements.
Completing a QA Assessment is a legislative accountability for all nurses that helps improve client safety and protect the public. This shared goal is important to all of us, and we thank you for your continued support and dedication to safe nursing practice.
There are two components to QA Assessment. You may be selected to complete either Part A: Knowledge Assessment or Part B: Practice Assessment.
Getting started
The QA Assessment Guide provides information to help you navigate how to complete either Part A or Part B of QA Assessment.
In Part A, you’ll review four learning modules and several knowledge checklists to help you understand topics including Quality Assurance, Nursing Regulation in Ontario, Professionalism in Nursing and the Code of Conduct practice standard.
You’ll also complete one additional learning module focused on a standard of practice.
Once you have reviewed the learning modules, you will complete a short, open-book multiple-choice quiz on the Code of Conduct practice standard, which is designed to help assess your understanding of nursing accountabilities.
Note: If you do not complete Part A, the QA Committee may direct you to also complete Part B: Practice Assessment.
In Part B, you’ll review learning modules, complete your learning plan, a knowledge check, and submit your QA Assessment activities for assessment by a CNO-assigned Peer Coach. Nurse Practitioners also complete a case example.
Annual learning plan
To complete your learning plan, you’ll need to reflect on your practice and identify areas for continued learning. Based on your practice reflection, you must provide two unique learning goals in your learning plan.
You can use these resources to help identify learning goals and reflect on your nursing practice:
Here are links to a few examples of learning plans:
Nurse Practitioner case example
The NP case example section applies only to NPs who have to complete QA Assessment: Part B. You will present a case example from your clinical practice that demonstrates your application of the Nurse Practitioner practice standard.
Here are links to a couple of sample NP case examples:
Use the following resources to help you complete your NP case example:
Scope of Practice Learning Module and Knowledge Check
The Scope of Practice learning module will help nurses understand concepts in the Scope of Practice standard and apply them to their practice.
The knowledge check is an open-book multiple-choice quiz designed to assess your understanding of the Scope of Practice standard. To pass the knowledge check, nurses will have two (2) opportunities to achieve a score of 80%.
Peer Coaches and Coaching
QA Peer Coaches are nurses trained in coaching principles. They also have in-depth knowledge of CNO's practice standards, guidelines and QA Assessment requirements. They will review and assess your QA activities and write a report to the QA Committee about your submission.
In addition to assessing nurses’ submissions, Peer Coaches are also available for optional coaching once you have submitted your learning plan. Coaching is a supportive way to guide you through your QA Assessment. This is an opportunity to work directly with a QA Peer Coach to help you understand your learning needs and improve your future practice.
Remediation
If a nurse’s QA Assessment is assessed as unsatisfactory, the QA Committee may direct the nurse to complete an additional assessment or remedial activities.
Remediation provides additional support to help nurses address identified learning needs and demonstrate the knowledge, skill and judgment required for safe nursing practice.
Quality Assurance Committee
The QA Committee is one of CNO’s statutory committees. It is made up of elected Council members, members of the public and nurses CNO appoints.
The QA Committee is responsible for ensuring that nurses comply with all aspects of the QA program. It makes decisions about a nurse’s participation by reviewing the QA Peer Coach’s report and directs the nurse to complete additional activities as required.
Questions
For additional guidance, review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about QA Assessment.
If you have questions about the QA Assessment process, after reviewing the FAQs, contact the QA Program at QAassessment@CNOmail.org, call 416 963-3922 or call 1 800 387-5526 (extension 3922).
Thank you for your commitment to upholding nursing accountabilities and patient safety.